Construction of New Pedestrian Park Begins

The concrete being poured on a portion of land just to the south of the pedestrian bridge on the east side of White Lick Creek near the Dairy Queen is part of a new pedestrian park Duke Energy is providing to the Town of Plainfield. The design was previously approved by the town council and the park is in progress.

A rain garden is part of the project. “The garden will have species native to Indiana,” said Dawn Horth, a Duke spokeswoman. “These plantings will appeal to those with sensory needs. Some will be highly fragrant and some will have an interesting texture to them.” Horth said the company also plans to place picnic tables at the spot that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, so everyone can enjoy the park.

“We've also tried to make the park ecofriendly,” she added. “There are two different kinds of concrete in place. One looks like someone mixed rice krispie treats into the concrete. It's called pervious concrete and is porous, so some rain will seep through it.”

Pervious concrete helps to control stormwater runoff. Its use is among the Best Management Practices recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to the National Ready Mix Concrete Association. The standard type of concrete, the one on which rain water puddles, is also in the park. The pavement slopes to the rain garden to water the plantings.

Horth said the project is expected to be completed by mid-September. Work at the park may become an annual work project for Duke Energy employees located in Plainfield. The company does a global work event each year where they encourage their employees to volunteer their time.

Township Line Road Reconstruction to Begin

The northeast section of the town's perimeter parkway, which runs from Perry Road at U.S. 40 (just north of the BP station) to where Township Line Road intersects Dan Jones Road, will be reconstructed soon and closed to through traffic. The roadway will be expanded to five lanes, with the middle lane being a left turn lane in both directions. There will be curbs, gutters, and new storm sewers installed.

September, but Duke Energy will be in that area soon for utility relocation,” said Don McGillem, Transportation Director for the Town. “Once the reconstruction has begun, the road will be closed to through traffic. Local traffic will be encouraged to use the new Shady Lane North to get to their homes.”

McGillem said the project will go to bid August 10 and will be run through INDOT because federal funding is involved. In the first phase of the project, the bridge that is just east of Dan Jones Road will be rebuilt. At the same time a roundabout will be constructed at Township Line Road and Smith Road (CR 900E, the same road the Goodwill store is located on). These two elements are expected to be completed mid-to-late spring, 2012. The crews will then begin on the remaining parts of the project, including reconstruction of a second bridge, this one just east of the donkey farm. The land is low in that area and flooding occurs in rainy weather. The new bridge will remedy that situation. Total completion of the project is expected by the end of 2012.

Crown Plaza Portion of Clarks Creek Road to be Rebuilt

The remaining portion of Clarks Creek Road that hasn't been rebuilt yet, from Crown Plaza Boulevard south to Metropolis Parkway, will soon begin reconstruction. “There will be ‘Road Closed' signs located at both ends of the worksite,” said Don McGillem, Transportation Director, “but the Town will work with businesses to make sure business traffic will be able to get through. The road maybe closed temporarily for short periods of time, however.”

Duke Energy is currently relocating utility poles on the west side of the street. After that, gas lines will be relocated on the east side and a contractor will move in to install new water lines on the west side. The new section of Clarks Creek Road will be a two lane road with curbs and gutters, and sidewalks on both sides. The project is expected to be completed by December of this year.